Engine primer



Dec. 10, 1946. -A. PARKER ET AL 2,412,532

I ENGINE PRIMER Filed Nov. 27, 1944 Patented Dec. 10, 1946 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE- land, Ohio, assigno'rs' t The Parker Appliance Company, Cleveland, Ohio; a' corporation of Application November 27, 1944, Serial No. 565240 7-Claims; l

The present invention relates generally to primers for internal combustion engines ortlie like; arranged to feed'a' priming charge to one or more of a series of such engines through a selector valve for opening and closing a plurality of outlets.

An object of the invention is to provide inan engine'primer of the type above referred't a novel selector valve indexing and locking means;

in combination with a novelindicat'ing means for each position of the selector valve with respectto any oneo'f a plurality of outlet ports;

A further object is to provide in an. engine primer including a selector valve arranged with a plurality of outlets and a piston adapted to detachably connect therewith; novel valve indexing means and locking means whereby the primer piston is locked against reciprocatingmovement when the selector valve is off or being turned from one outlet to another, andwhereby the piston is detachable therefrom for reciprocat-ion'independently of the valve when the selector valve is on.

Still a further object is to provide in an engine primer, 2. novel: means, whereby each respective position of a selector valve is positively indicated to the operator.

These and other objects I- attain by the con struction in the accompanying drawing, wherein one embodiment of the invention is-shownfor the purpose of illustration, and'wherein:

Figure 1 is a longitudinal cross section view of aprimer embodying the invention;

Figure 2 is a top plan view in elevation of'the assembled novel indexing, locking andindicating means of the primer;

Figure 3 is a transverse cross sectionview taken on the line 3-3 of Figure l; V

Figure 4 is a transverse cross section viewtaken along the line l4 of Figure 1; showingthe detachable connection between the selector valveandthe primer piston;

Figure 5 is a transverse cross section view taken along the line 55'of Figure 1;

Figure 6 is a top plan view ofa-novel valve abutment plate; such as maybe used with our device; Y I V Figure-7 is a plan View of the inner side of the novel index plate adaptedto receive the valveposition indicator ring;

Figure 8 is a cross section view taken along the line 8-8 of Figure 7;

Figure 9'isacross section view showing the'pis ton disconnectedirom the select'orvalve.

Referring to the drawing and first with par ticular reference to Figure 1, the primer broadly includes a pump cylinder Ill, a piston II with an enlarged head portion I2 mounted therein for rotation and/or reciprocation by means of ano'perating handle I3 secured to an end of the piston oppositetheenlarged head portion I2, an inlet check valve I4; a selector valve I5 detachably connected to the piston head l2; and novel means for indexing, locking and indicating each respective position of the selector valve I5'adjacent to the operating handle I 3 and cooperating therewith;

The pump cylinder I0 is flared outwardly at itslower end to provide an enlarged chamber I5. The chamber It contains a threaded aperture in' theside wall for receiving the inlet check valve M, which may be a self-contained nipple in which ismounted a ball I! and a spring I8: Thus the primer'can readily be mounted on an instrument panel I9 having a hole of a diameter but slightly larger than the enlarged chamber I6, when the nipple is temporarily removed.

Within the enlarged chamber l 6 is the selector valve I5; a spring 20, a spring abutment plate 21 and an outlet spring ball check valve 22. Valve I5 has a: seating end 24 preferably of graphitic material bonded thereto. The valve I5 and end 24 are provided with a central passage 25therethrough, and a radially extending passage 26 adjacent the seating surface of the valve end 24. The passage 26 is adapted to be brought into or out of alignment with any one of a plurality'of' outlet ports 28 in a head 36 secured as by bolts 3| inthe rim of cylinder In by selectively rotating the valve unit I5. The coupling between the end of the cylinder 50 and head" 30 may be made fluid-tight by any suitable device,.such as gasket 32.

Rotation of the valve unit I5, which may be any suitable'typeof rotary valve is accomplished by rotation'of the handle I3 secured to the piston I I opposite'to'the enlarged piston head I2, which detachably connects with the other end 33 of the valve I5. Thisen'd 330i the selector valve I5 is non-circular in cross-section; and is'engageable in a transverse groove of similar crosssection in piston head I2. The spring abutment plate 21' is adapted to engage with an annular shoulder 3t at the upper end of the chamber l6, and is apertured so as to fit over the non-circular end33 ofthe'selector valve I5, and to provide for passageof fluidint'o the cylinder ID, as shown in 3 of the spring 23 likewise moves the valve I and presses the seat 24 against a flat seating surface on the cap or head 36. Obviously, the spring 20 should have greater tension than the opposing suction forces created in the cylinder during outward movement of the piston II, so that the selector valve unit I5 will remain seated on the seating surface of head 38. The piston head I2 has an annular groove in which is mounted a sealing ring 35, and also has on its upper face a cushioning means, such as a rubber ring 36, see Figure 9. i

The piston II opposite to its enlarged head portion I2 is guided and operated by means mounted on the upper extremity of the cylinder ID, which cylinder is provided with a mounting flange 38. The flange 38, as shown in Figure 1, is adapted to be secured to the instrument panel I9, and to support and mount an indexing ring 39 adapted to cooperate with a radial lug 49 carried by a skirt portion M on handle I3, as hereinafter to be described.

Extending from the flange 38 is a nipple 42 counterbored, for example to define a shoulder 43 against which seats the end face of a piston guide sleeve 44, and which is engageable with the cushion ring 36 on the enlarged head of the piston I I, to thereby limit the outward movement thereof.

concentrically positioned around the sleeve 44 On the mounting flange 38 is mounted the novel selector valve indexing ring 39, the lower locking skirt portion 4| of the handle 3 with the radial locking lug 48 adapted to cooperate with the indexing ring for locking the piston II, and the novel indicating ring 58, each as best shown in Figures 2, 3, 7 and 8. The indexing member comprises the plate 39 centrally formed as by counter boring or the like to provide a flange. The continuity of this flange is interrupted by equal spaces 46, so as to define segments 41, see Figure 7, which segments on the inner side adjacent the mounting fiange are pressed in or partially cut out to provide recesses 48 for cooperation with the lug 48 carried by the skirt 4| of handle I3 and thus yieldably retain the handle in an off position, whereby no fluid can be passed from the inlet valve I4 to any of the outlet ports 28 regardless of the pressure at the inlet, and whereby the piston II is locked against reciprocation. The side walls 49 of the recesses 48, as shown in Figure 8, are preferably inclined or rounded, so that the handle I3 need only to be rotated to disengage the lug 40 therefrom.

Otherwise if the side walls were square and sharp it would be necessary to depress the handle I3 before turning it.

The mounting flange 38 and the flanged segments 41 of the indexing plate 39 define between them an annular countersunk bore 45, see Figure 8, in which is disposed a novel indicator means, such as a split ring 58, preferably made of colored plastic, painted metallic material or the like. The outer diameter of the indicator ring 56 is normally larger than the inner bore 45 of the indexing ring or plate 39. Thus, when the split ring 56 is placed within the indexing ring 39, it must be contracted, and therefore it yieldably engages with the inner walls of the index ring 39. Also, when the indicator ring 58 is thus confined within the bore 45 of the index ring 39, there remains a gap 5| therein, see Figures 2 and 3, which is equal to the spaces between each of the index rings flanged segments 41. Accordingly, the indicator ring. 58 has one portion adapted to register with any one of the spaces 46 between one of the flanged segments 41, whereby no portion of the indicator ring 58 is visible, while at the other spaces 46 portions of the indicator ring 50 are clearly visible. Thus, assuming that a red plastic index ring 53 is being used, and the operator sees the red plastic material at all the spaces 46, he knows that the corresponding outlet ports 28 are off, and likewise whenever he sees no red plastic material at one of the spaces 46 he knows that the corresponding outlet port is open, and fluid is passing to that particular engine when the piston Ii is reciprocated.

Thus, for example, when the handle I3 is in a 45 position with its lug engaged in one of the recesses 48 on the inner side of one of the segments 41, the ports 28 are all closed. In this position the flanged segments 41 prevent reciprocation of the piston II, and the selector valve unit I5 is held in off position wherein the radial passage 26 is out of communication with any of the outlet ports 28. The spring 28 holds the selector valve unit I5 seated on the flat inner seat surface of the cap or head 38, and also transmits pressure through the piston II to handle I3, whereby the lug 40 is yieldably forced and held in engagement with the bottom wall of the recess 48, with which it is aligned. As the gap 5| of the red plastic indicator ring 50 .turns with the lug 48, the ring gap 5I will be disposed in a position under one of the flanged segments 41 and the solid portions of the red plastic indicator ring are visible at all four spaces 46. This indicates that all of the outlet ports are closed.

Operation In order to operate the primer to pump fuel from the selected upper outlet port 28, as shown in Figure l, the handle I3 is turned until the arrow 55 marked thereon is vertical and the lug 48 brought into alignment with the selected space 46 corresponding to the upper outlet 28. As the handle I3 is thus turned lug 48 disengages from the recess 48 and causes the piston II to slightly compress the spring 20, so that as soon as the lug 40 comes into alignment with the space 46 corresponding to the selected upper outlet 28, the bandle I3 may be released and the spring 29 will force the piston I I and handle I3 outward, therebydisengaging the lug 40 from a flanged segment 41 through the space 46.

Because of the detachable tongue and groove connection between the piston head I2 and the end 33 of the selector valve I5 rotation of the handle I3 to the aforesaid free position likewise rotates the valve, to thereby bring the radial passage 26 into alignment with the selected upper outlet port 28. I When the handle I3 reaches its point of outward movement, as above described, the tongue and groove'connection between the piston head I2 and the valve end 33 completely releases, slightly before the lug 40 rises completely out of the confines of space 46 between two of the flange segments 41.

Now, as the lug 40 is completely released from the flanged segments 41, .the handle I3 may be pulled outward and reciprocated, if desired, to draw fuel into the cylinder I0. During this outward stroke of the piston I I, the spring 20 yieldably holds the valve in any predetermined set position, such as above described, and also the red indicator ring 50 will remain in any such predetermined set position because of its frictional engagement with the index plate 39. Therefore gangsta 5 after the lug 40- has been raised fro'm theconfines of anylselected space, it is immaterialwhether the handle [3 and piston H are rotated or not. Following this operation and positioning of the handle, the gap 5! in the indicator ring 50 will be opposite the selected'upper space 46, as shown in Figure 2, and the remainder of-the red indicator ring 50 can be seen in all of the spaces' l6'except the selected one, where the gap 5] in the ring-5B exists. Thus, this indicates that a port 28 corresponding to theselected space 46 is open.

Obviously, when the piston H is pulledout-' wardly the suction unseats the inlet checkvalve l4 and the cylinder I B fills up with fluid; and when the piston is pushed inwardly the outlet check valve 22 opens, and the fluid in the cylinder I is forced out'through the selected upper port 28.

When it is desired to turn the primer off, the handle I3 is turned so' that lug 4U aligns with space 48 and the gap I'in the indicator ring 50. With the lug 40 in this position, the handle I3 is then forced inwardly, and the groove in piston head I2 engages with the non-circular end 33 of selector valve l5. Rotation, if now imparted to the handle [3, approximately 45 in either direction, will turn the selector valve l5 to an off position, while correspondingly rotating the indicator ring 50 and the lug 40 again becomes engaged in one of the recesses 48 behind one of the segments of the flange 45, to thereby yieldably hold the valve unit H5 in an oiT position and lock the piston II against reciprocation.

While the present invention has been described in connection with only one form of device, such as the engine primer illustrated in the accompanying drawing, it is to be understood that it may also have utility for use With other devices for dispensing fluid or the like. Accordingly, it is to be understood that as various other modifications and uses for our invention may suggest themselves, we do not wish to be limited to the specific apparatus disclosed, but desire the appended claims to be construed as broadly as permissible in view of the prior art.

We claim:

1. In a liquid dispensing device comprising a pump having a reciprocating piston, a valve associated with said pump for controlling the discharge of fluid from the pump through a plurality of outlets, means whereby said valve and said piston may be coupled together when said piston is at the end of its compression stroke, so that rotation of the piston will shift said valve to different positions With respect to said outlets; r

the combination of a handle adapted to rotate said piston, a lug on said handle, and an index member adjacent said handle having a plurality of openings therein corresponding to each of said outlets, said lug being adapted to be aligned with one of said openings in the index member when the handle is rotated, to thereby correspondingly shift said valve into alignment, with one of said outlets known to correspond with the selected opening in said index member.

2. In a liquid dispensing device comprising a pump having a reciprocating piston, a valve associated with said pump for controlling the discharge of fluid from the pump through a plurality of outlets, means whereby said valve and said piston may be coupled together when said piston is at the end of its compression stroke, so that rotation of the piston will shift said valve to difierent positions with respect to said outlets; the combination of a handle adapted to rotate said 6: piston, -alug on said handle, an index member adjacent said handle having a plurality of op I- ings therein corresponding to each o-ffsaid' outlets, said lug-being adapted to be aligned one of said openings in the index member when the handle is rotated, to thereby correspondingly shift said valve into alignment with one of said outlets known to correspond with the selected opening in said index member, and yieldable means mounted around said valve adapted to' thrust said lug'upward from said index member,

while holding said valve fixed in" its selected tion of the piston to align with one ornone of said outlets upon rotation of said means-and means associated with said first-named means adapted to provide for a predetermined rotation of said valve for the selection of a desired outlet during operation of the piston or adapted to lock said piston against operation upon a predetermined rotation of said valve out of alignment with any of said outlets. I

4. In an engine primer including a pump with a piston and a selector valve adapted to control a plurality of outlets, means for operating said piston detachably connectable to said valve so as to'selectively shift said valve during one position of the piston to align with one or none of said outlets upon rotation of said means, means associated with said first-named means adapted to provide for a predetermined rotation of said valve for the selection of a desired outlet during operation of the piston or adapted to lock said piston against operation upon a predetermined rotation of said valve out of alignment with any of said outlets, and means mounted between said first named means, and said second named means adapted to provide visible indications representative of the on and ofi positions of said selector valve with respect tosaid outlets.

5. In an engine primer including a cylinder having a reciprocating piston therein capable of free rotation and a selector valve adapted to open and close a plurality of outlets, a handle for operating said piston within said cylinder, said handle having a skirt portion with a lug thereon, said piston having an enlarged head detachably connectable with said valve so as to provide for rotation thereof to selected position with respect to said outlets upon rotation of said piston, an annulus of larger internal diameter than the exterior of said skirt portion having an inwardly projecting flange mounted on the upper end of said cylinder, said flange being divided into a plurality of spaced segments to thereby define spaces therebetween corresponding in number and position to said valve controlled outlets, and

a plurality of depressions centrally disposed on the inner side of each of said segments adapted to be engaged by the lug on said skirt portion of the handle when the outlets are closed by said valve to thereby lock said piston against reciprocation in said cylinder.

6. In an engine primer including a cylinder having a reciprocating piston therein capable of free rotation and a selector valve adapted to open and close a plurality of outlets, a handle for operating said piston within said cylinder, said handle having a skirt portion with a lug thereon,

said piston having an enlarged head detachably connectable with said valve so as to provide for rotation thereof to selected positions with respect to said outlets upon rotation of said piston, an annulus of larger internal diameter than the exterior or said skirt portion having an inwardly projecting flange mounted on the upper end of said cylinder, said flange being divided into a plurality of spaced segments to thereby define spaces therebetween corresponding in number and position to said valve controlled outlets, a plurality of depressions centrally disposed on the inner side of each of said segments adapted to be engaged by the lug on said skirt portion of the handle when the outlets are closed by said valve to thereby lock said piston against reciprocation in said cylinder, and a split ring of yieldable material and contrasting color with respect to said annulus in frictional egagement within the bore of said annulus and concentrically positioned around said skirt portion of said handle, said ring when 50 mounted having a gap at its split portion adapted to conform to the width of the spaces between each of said segments, and said lug on said skirt portion of the handle, whereby upon rotation of said handle and said piston to shift said valve the lug likewise rotates said ring to indicate the open or closed condition of the said valve controlled outlets.

7. In an engine primer of the class described having a cylinder, a reciprocating piston therein, a piston locking means carried by the piston, a selector valve adapted to control the discharge of fluid from the cylinder, a fixed indexing member for said valve, locking means associated with said indexing member for engagement with the locking means carried by said primer piston, and means mounted in said indexing member adapted to indicate the on and off positions of said valve.

ARTHUR L. PARKER. JOSEPH F. MELICHAR. 

